HIV/AIDS
AIDS caused by the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disproportionately affects people
of color. Take a look at these statistics:
Alarming Stats
The state of Georgia reports 69% of people living with diagnosed
HIV in 2013 were black, 6% Hispanic/Latino and
20% white.
Breakdown of Georgia Population in 2013 by Race/Ethnic
Group
| White |
Black |
Hispanic |
| 54.8% |
30.5% |
9.2% |
- In 2014, 48% of those diagnosed with AIDS in the U.S. were
black.
- Among jail populations black men are 5x as likely as white
men and 2x as likely as Hispanic men to be diagnosed with
HIV.
- Of the gay and bisexual black men diagnosed with HIV in 2014,
39%(over one third) were young men aged 13 to 24.
- In 2013, over half of those who died from HIV were
black.
What is HIV?
As the name implies, HIV is a virus that cripples the immune
system. In simple terms, it destroys the body cells that fight
off infections or diseases.
How is HIV acquired?
The live virus has been found in semen, vaginal secretions,
blood, breast milk and urine. Thus, HIV is spread by:
- sexual contact (vaginal or anal)
- sharing of IV drug needles
- transmission from mom to baby
- blood transfusions
- research does not currently show it is spread through
household and routine contact
How Can I Protect Myself Against HIV
- Follow safe sexual practices
- Abstinence
- Know your partner
- Use condoms every time
- Never, never share drug needles
- If you engage in high risk behavior-Consult a health clinic
for testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis(PREP).PREP is a type of
medication that decreases ones chance of getting HIV.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis- a type of medication taken after
being exposed to HIV.
How Do I Know if I Have HIV
- Persons infected with HIV usually have no symptoms
- The most common symptoms are flu-like
- The only way to know for sure is to get tested.
- Testing is available at your local health department, health
clinics and through Locators for
Testing at AIDSVU.org.
We must stop the spread of HIV among people of color. Join
with others in DOING IT.
